Updates:
9.30pm – The Department of Transport has confirmed the name of the of victim of todays tragedy.
In a statement, a spokesman said: “The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) regrets to announce that a volunteer member of the Doolin Coast Guard unit lost her life today when participating in a search off Kilkee for a missing person which was being conducted by the local Kilkee and Doolin volunteer Coast Guard units. The deceased person was named as Caitriona Lucas. Her husband Bernard is also a member of the Doolin unit.
A RIB from Kilkee Coast Guard Unit, is believed to have capsized and the 3 occupants (2 female and 1 male) entered the water. Valentia Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre immediately launched a major Search and Rescue operation. The 2 females were located and recovered from the water, one by Rescue Helicopter based in Shannon (R115), and the 2nd by Delta RIB. Both were taken to hospital where Ms Lucas was pronounced dead.
The 3rd casualty, a male, was recovered from a nearby cave area, at around 5.30pm by a Coast Guard helicopter following an extensive and complex operation.
The Coast Guard extends sincere condolences to Lucas family and all the volunteer members of the Doolin and Kilkee units. The Coast Guard also wishes to thank all the other organisations that participated in today’s search.
5.35pm – It has been confirmed that a member of the Irish Coast Guard has died tragically in today’s incident.
The third casualty was airlifted from the base of the cliff at around 5.30pm and flown to hospital for treatment
Earlier: A major rescue operation is underway in Kilkee after a Coast Guard boat capsized during a search operation this afternoon.
It’s understood that one casualty has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition while a second has been treated at the scene.
Efforts to rescue another person are continuing. He’s believed to be trapped on a ledge at the based of a cliff.
The Coast Guard volunteers had been involved in the search for a man who has been missing since Friday. Clare Civil Defence had also been involved in the search for the missing man.
It’s believed they were thrown into the sea at around 1.00pm when their boat suddenly capsized.
The Doolin unit of the Coast Guard; Kilrush RNLI lifeboat and Kilkee Fire and Rescue Service were initially sent to the area while the Aran Islands lifeboat and Ballybunnion are also assisting.
Clare Civil Defence had also been involved in the search for the missing man.
The Shannon based search and rescue helicopter Rescue 115 has taken one person to University Hospital Limerick while the Waterford helicopter, Rescue 117, has take over from their Shannon colleagues.
Several National Ambulance Service resources are at the scene along with Gardaí.
One woman was rescued from the sea and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.
A second woman was also recovered and flown to hospital in a critical condition.
An operation to recover the third crew member is continuing.